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NEW YORK -- Toronto and Chicago will resume discussions Saturday on a trade that would feature Bulls swingman Jalen Rose moving to the Raptors, league sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

 

The deal that was primarily discussed Friday would have sent Antonio Davis and Alvin Williams to Chicago for Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall. Sources said that concerns about Williams' left knee and left ankle -- after two ankle surgeries in two years -- apparently prompted the Bulls to balk at that package in return for Rose.

 

Sources told ESPN.com that a reconfigured deal is likely to feature Morris Peterson in Williams' place, with at least one more player going from the Raptors to the Bulls to meet salary-cap requirements.

 

Rose was recently demoted from the Bulls' starting lineup by coach Bill Cartwright, who himself is under fire. The small forward has been averaging a team-high 15.3 points but shooting only 39 percent from the field.

 

The 10-year veteran could provide Vince Carter with some of the secondary scoring punch that Toronto now lacks, but a trade for Rose would nonetheless signal a change in philosophy for the Raptors.

 

It was widely assumed around the league that Toronto management woud not agree to any trade in which the Raptors were taking on more big salaries. After this season, Rose has three years left on his contract at more than $45 million.

 

Davis, by contrast, has only two seasons at $25 million left on his contract after this season. In his eleventh year in the league, Davis would welcome a move to the Bulls, given that his wife is from Chicago. He is averaging just 7.7 points for the offensively inept Raptors, who are scoring only 77.5 points per game -- the lowest in the league.

 

Peterson, meanwhile, has been dangled in trade talks by the Raptors since the season started.

 

Rose, however, told The Associated Press that he had been assured by Bulls vice president John Paxson that he would not be dealt to Toronto.

 

"It's blown up and become the kind of item that everybody that I know is calling me about," Rose said prior to Chicago's Friday night game against the Lakers. "People that I know in L.A. feel like they're coming to see my last game as a Bull.

 

"If it does happen, that means he went back on his word," Rose said. "I see him (Paxson) as somebody that's a man of his word and I have no reason to believe otherwise."

 

The trade rumor spread quickly Friday, with Rose and several players from both teams getting numerous calls on their cell phones. Paxson and Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald did not immediately return messages.

 

Bulls coach Bill Cartwright said he talked to Rose about the rumors and told him: "Don't you dare get distracted with any of this garbage that's going on."

 

"I've never said that I wanted to play for another team. I'm not saying that now," said Rose, adding that he doesn't believe anyone in the Chicago organization wants him gone.

 

"I'd be lying to say I didn't think about it, I didn't analyze it, I didn't think about their roster, I didn't look at their schedule," he said about Toronto. "I just hope it's not an even bigger distraction, not only to the teammates, but to my fans. I got a ton of fans in Chicago that embraced me from day one."

 

As a Raptors fan, I love this deal...talent-wise. I'm just not sure I want Rose's attitude. Donyell Marshall does nothing but help and I wouldn't miss Antonio Davis' whining. MoPete needs a change of scenery.

If the Bulls want to get anywhere, they should look into trading coaches instead.

I'm a huge Raptors fan and it is obvious this team needs a change in order to compete. 5-6 may be misleading, but 77ppg is not. Mo-Pete= it isn't working

AD= shut up

JYD= I'll miss you but I'd rather see a winning team.

Hey Miami15, What Do you think about your raptors Chris Bosh?

It would be a very good trade for the Raptors. They get a lot of scroing in return and dont lose much on defense also because Marshall is a good rebounder.

 

Now for the Bulls I dont know what to say about the trade. I guess its more of a salary dump than anything.

 

But it hasnt happened yet so lets wait and see.

Bosh will be a star. He is a shot blocker with a great jumper!

Bosh, Carter, Rose=more than 77 ppg.

 

Both of these teams need a shakeup, and this appears to be one of those trades that could help both teams.